How to Mount Small to Medium Sized Solar Panels Without Drilling Holes or installing racks on roof

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My solar setup is fully functional and well functioning now for the last year and all 5 solar panels are mounted to the roof without any holes, racks, or screws. As of now they have not blown away, this method works for my solar panels and should work for any small to medium sized solar cells. My first three solar panels were actually mounted to the roof in 2010ish and are still locked in place and have not blown away.

I mounted my harbor freight solar panels to the roof on the south side utilizing 100% silicone caulk. I cleaned off the spot really well where I would be placing the panels so as to get the best adhesion. Although this works fine and has worked fine since 2010, should they ever need removed I will have a mess on my hands.

Mounting Solar Panels Without Drilling

It is quite possible to mount your small to medium sized solar panel WITHOUT drilling holes, or installing racking systems onto your roof. You can utilize 100% silicone caulk around the perimeter of the solar panel, on its frame. Make sure the spot you're installing them to is of a standard shingle and totally clean, no debris. Apply the silicone caulk very generously onto the frame of the solar panel. I utilized a whole 10 oz tube for my harbor freight solar panel. After applying the caulk, press down firmly on the solar panel onto the desired spot while allowing the caulk to dry.

Some of my solar panels have been in place since 2010. Here are some tips to consider.

How to Mount Solar Panel with Caulk

1. Make sure you have a solar panel and 100% silicone caulk! See links below in the blue box.
2. Make sure caulk adhesive will stick to the surface you want to mount it to. Shingles or wood surface are the best. A metallic roof surface may not stick.
3. Make sure the solar panel you want to mount is not to large.
4. Make sure the surface you want to mount to is completely clean of debris.
5. When mounting, make sure you leave a gap for water to escape from underneath the panel.
6. Make sure you have enough silicone caulk. I used 10 oz tube for my 36" solar panels.
7. Apply a generous amount during installation.
8. After applying a generous amount, press hard and hold the solar panel onto the desired surface.

South Side Mounting for Solar Optimization

The sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. Meanwhile my solar panels are mounted on the south side of my small facility. This has proven for me to provide ample sunlight daily -- without the need to move the solar panels for steady sunlight throughout the day.

In essence, pointing my solar cells to the south gives me 5-8 hours of solar production throughout the day in the Mid-Western USA region. In my case, mounting my solar cells on the roof works as there are no immediate obstructions that would otherwise block the sunlight. Additionally, my facility has a low slope on the south side making solar mounting optimal.

Tips for Solar Roof Mounting

Although not perfect, my solar setup has worked well for me since late June of 2023. Here are some thoughts about solar panel roof mounting small to medium sized solar panels with caulk.

1. No major trees or other obstructions on the South, East, or West side of solar cell location.
2. You are mounting to a non-metallic roof. In my case the silicone caulk sticks well to traditional shingle style roofing.
3. You are mounting to a roof slope between 45 degrees and 20 degrees.
4. Use a healthy amount of silicone caulk. I used a whole tube of the white Gorilla Glue 100% silicone caulk per one solar panel installation.
5. Do not fully caulk bottom side of solar panel frame to allow water to fully drain.

Benefits for using silicone adhesive

I chose silicone caulk to adhere my solar panels to the roof for a few reasons. I knew that way I wouldn't need to drill any holes into my roof there by preventing any future leaks. Additionally I avoid purchasing screws and or racking system. While this method hasn't been tested for solar panel removal, there are some benefits to just using silicon to adhere.

1. Solar operation without holes in the roof.
2. No need to purchase screws or racking systems.
3. Less work during installation. I was able to single handedly install all 5 of my solar panels!
4. Major cost savings!
5. Will last 10 + years.